Distinctly Different

Chapter 32 ~ Execution

“Fine I did what you asked,” her mother said. “Now it is time for their lives to come to an end.” Turning to Arabella she threw two pieces of strong woven rope. “Tie up the King and Queen,” she ordered.

She felt sick as she caught the rope and ran her fingers over it pieces of rope. She was confused when her mother and the guards suddenly exited the room leaving her alone with the heads of the royal family. Then her confusion cleared as she realized this was a test. Her mother wanted to see if she could trust her daughter.

Arabella slowly walked over to the King as he pushed himself up. Swaying slightly from famine he seemed apprehensive. Hating that she had to do it Arabella grabbed his wrist and put them behind his back. He grunted as she touched his raw wrists, he must have struggled a lot while being tied up. She began to tie his hands together with one of the pieces of rope.

“Please don’t do this,” the King whispered. He didn’t know that her mother and the guards could hear him even when they were quiet. “You’re not like your mother; you don’t want to do this so just let me and my wife go. When we get back the castle we won’t punish you.” She wondered if she actually told the truth as she gazed into his eyes, he seemed sincere from what she could tell.

“I made a deal. You will die anyways; the only thing I could do was make sure your family doesn’t see you and the Queen die. If I don’t do as she says all you will get is an audience for your execution,” Arabella sighed.

The King shook his head forcefully trying to change her mind. “You don’t know that. I know you don’t want my family to die,” he told her. She remained silent. She didn’t feel warm in this room but the King must as his golden hair was plastered to his forehead. “Just let us go, we’ll beat the odds.” Arabella closed her eyes feeling the beginnings of a headache coming on. She opened her eyes and put her finger to her lips indicating he should be quiet. The King stared at her unsure of whether he could comply.

“That’s not possible,” she said having finished securing his hands behind his back.

“Please help us get through this,” the King replied quietly.

“No, I can’t and that’s final,” she said but she nodded slowly making sure he knew that she wasn’t just going to let the royal family die and her mother take over their kingdom without putting up a fight. Then she also mouthed the words, “there’s help coming.”

The King nodded to show he understood and Arabella moved to tie up the Queen’s hands as well. She didn’t know what danger the Queen posed as she was unconscious but perhaps her mother was thinking better safe than sorry. As she did so she felt ashamed at her actions, she was helping her mother but if later comes a chance to do something she would take it. Rowan and her father had better be close; nothing would work without their help.

“Excellent, you’re done,” her mother exclaimed sounding proud. There was nothing to be proud of in this situation, unless you were crazy and drunk with the thought of power like her mother. She signalled to the guards and the same two guards came back in and grabbed the King by the arms and placed the Queen over on of their shoulders.

“What are they doing?” Arabella asked quickly. How would she delay them if it was decided that the King and Queen will die now?

“They are moving the King and Queen outside, to the courtyard,” her mother replied. It was the answer Arabella had dreaded hearing. “Did you think I would have them killed inside?” Her voice sounded incredulous. “It would make such a mess,” she stated making a face. Yeah because the only thing wrong with having them killed inside.

Arabella trailed after her mother and the guards that bringing along the King and Queen. When they finally got to the courtyard Arabella shivered as the wind picked up and gazed at the grey storm clouds above. The weather was foreshadowing what was about to happen.